Courchevel 1650, France

The Club met at chalet Cascades in Courchevel 1650. The chalet was well situated across the road from escalator access to the Avoriaz lift, the ski bus stop was just outside, and the ski hire shop next door.

On arrival there had not had any significant snow for some time and the mountains on the way up looked disappointingly brown. We expected the worst, but when we got out on Monday morning, much to our surprise the pistes were all quite skiable.

The days were sunny and we had some good skiing all over the 3 Valleys, until Friday when we woke up to constant snow and poor visibility! Some brave souls ventured out, but many of us took the day off. The next day it was still snowing but we determined not to be put off for another day and most people decided to “give it a go”. The newly fallen snow was delightful and although the skiing was a bit more hard work, it was a pleasure to be out.

A good time was had by all on this trip.

Peter Taylor.

The Club’s second trip of the season was to Sestriere. The Hotel Du Col is extremely well situated and a short walk from the boot room, through the underground car park, took you on to the slopes.

Folks enjoyed their first day on the slopes in good weather and with good snow. During the week there were variable conditions, with some fresh snow, blue skies and at times limited visibility. One day the tour operator arranged an “Away Day” with skiers taking the coach to Montgenevre to enjoy the French slopes. It was bitterly cold but the snow was in great condition. Fresh snow greeted us on our last day but visibility was patchy with low mist to start the day. The best runs were above Sauze D’Oulx and through the trees at Sansicario.

Sestriere was a good resort with the local slopes providing runs to suit all levels. The access to Sauze and Sansicario were quick, giving plenty of mileage and variety on well-groomed slopes. The Hotel Du Col was an excellent base and provided us with comfortable accommodation, very friendly and helpful staff and excellent buffet meals.

It was another successful holiday, being reunited with old friends and making new friendships. We enjoyed the resort, the skiing and the company – so roll on 2018!

Sheila Walker.

Sauze D’Oulx, Italy

Before departing for Sauze d’Oulx we knew the snow was going to be good as some of the group had been there the previous week. There had been more snow and it continued for our first day’s skiing. No one could criticise the Hotel Hermitage’s location, next to the piste, with a hand travellator making access to the nearby chair lift very easy.

Two days of sunshine found groups skiing from Sestriere to Sansicario to the wide-open snowfield and pistes of Sauze, with few queues and fabulous snow. This was followed by 3 days of low cloud and fog, which didn’t deter anyone, although we did a lot of skiing by guesswork.

Once again, many thanks to all the members who helped to make this trip such a success.

Anne Horne

Baqueira, Spanish Pyrenees.

On arrival at Toulouse a total of 27 members, with many familiar faces, renewed friendships and l uickly joined with others in the animated conversation and camaraderie that was to continue both during our journey to Baqueira and throughout the holiday.

On arrival at Chalet Hotel Eira we were welcomed by familiar staff. There was a warm welcome from the friendly hire shop staff, ever ready to help with the putting on of our boots (warmed overnight). The ‘Over 70’s Lift Pass’ at 3 Euros a day was a bonus for many!

Our first two days were overcast and relatively mild with the snow tending to be icy first thing in the morning, becoming softer in the mid-afternoon. There were three dedicated guides catering for our varying abilities, whilst some members decided to take lessons, and others to “do their own thing”.

Wednesday was a glorious day with bright sunshine. The snow had been improved by Tuesday evening’s light covering, and we had a wonderful day skiing. Thursday dawned as a beautiful day with bright sunshine. Skiing was over to Bonaigua where a Tapas lunch had been arranged for us all. It was another magical day in the Pyrenees, surrounded by the wonderful mountains, which seemed to stretch forever.

Friday was windy and in the evening the forecasted half metre of snow began to fall. Next day there was a deep covering of powder snow over the resort. The piste machine had not compacted the snow as it fell all night and early morning. For those who love powder it was a real bonus and very exhilarating, especially when the sun made its way out later in the day.

Throughout the week we were well looked after and our skiing needs well catered for by our friendly and caring guides, as well as the caring and pleasant staff looking after us.

We once again enjoyed the friendliness that forms a special part of Baqueira, and a group of diverse characters who each brought something special to our holiday. This uniqueness has become a huge part of ARPSKI, the Club of which we are proud to be part of.

Alison and Beryl.

Tignes Le Lac, France

Our party to Tignes Le Lac was the Club’s largest to date at 47 and we filled the whole chalet. The chalet had been recently enlarged with a number, but not all, of the rooms benefiting from the accompanying update; the update also included installing a small pool and a sauna. Members gave the chalet an average rating 4.3 out of 5.

The week was blessed with 5 days of glorious sunshine, the resort having benefited from the heavy snowfalls in the two weeks preceding our arrival. Temperatures were, however, high with conditions at the resort base becoming very soft and slushy by mid-late afternoon. However, Les Brevieres could still be comfortably reached in the morning and of course there were abundant high slopes in addition to the Val D’Isere and Grand Motte glaciers to find nicer “white-stuff”.

Overall a good holiday, and all thought a return to Tignes soon - possibly to the Chalet Hotel Le Rosset - would be good.

Charles Woodcock.